thedispatch | (no subject)

You have a good sense of direction.

[ Idle chat as they return to the road. Thankfully when they do, William's horse is grazing by the road side. They mount it again and head towards the city.

It's a decently long ride, and by the time they arrive, the sun is nearly set. William's home isn't extravagant, but it's certainly nicer than most who make up the middle class, and lower. In the kitchen is a medium sized basin, conveniently placed by the hearth to warm the water. It's not large enough for a modern sized bath, but with the hand cloth and heavily floral scented soaps, it does the job as well as it can. William takes a few trips to get some water from the pump outside and brings it to the stove to heat. Once warm enough, the pot is emptied into the basin. ]

I would get to bathing before the water cools.

[ It's simple instruction as he assumes Grell can manage the rest on her own. Then he's moving towards the other side of the kitchen to find what food he has for them to partake in. ]

Edited 2019-11-27 22:54 (UTC)

[ By the time arrive, William will have had to wake her; she gradually felt herself dozing off, under the warm sunlight and with a body to lean against. Cheek against the back if his neck and arms about his middle, she'd been quite red upon making sense of what happened.

Grell was insistent upon helping in some way, as it didn't feel right to have him doing all the work on her behalf. She ends up settling on setting a sheet up between some stools so that she could undress with some modesty, at least. It was something!

Once she settles herself into the water, she exhales a sigh larger than her body could seem to contain. Untying her hair, she ruffles her fingers through its roots to loosen it. ]

It smells quite nice.

[ Even if she hadn't strung up a sheet, he was already giving her the respect of not looking her way. He's pulls some bread from from the cabinet, pairing it with some sliced up fruit and jerked meat. The mood of the past few weeks had put a damper on his own appetite, so the selection in his cabinets is limited. Still, even though it's simple, it's of far better quality then that inn. He brings it all to the small table at the side of the room, then pours some ale out for both of them. ]

[ Watching him curiously, she washes herself with the fragrant soap-- and paired with the hot water, she's fully relaxed against the basin's edge when the time comes to wash her face and hair. Her glasses are carefully set aside so that she may dunk her head. Upon surfacing, she pushes her lengthy hair back off her face. ]

I'm sorry, you don't have to wait on my accord... It's my fault you had a hasty breakfast, after all.

[ He gives a short nod and lifts the mug of ale to his lips. It's strong and just what the evening calls for after such a range of emotions had been felt. It was still not something he was used to, after all. ]

None of it is heated so I don't mind waiting on the rest.

[ With a squint, she can see him raising what looks to be a cup. With a lopsided little smile, she breathes a hint of a chuckle! ]

Well, with an empty stomach, that will go strait to your head, you know... [ She closes her eyes while massaging the hair oil in. Her obsession... it feels so wonderful! ]

Fine.

[ He takes up a ripened pear, carving it up before pairing it will a chunk of bread. ]

If you're unwilling to cut your hair, we will have to come to another solution to help you feel more comfortable in the public eye.

[ Really, she was only teasing, she didn't expect him to listen! She might like that. ]

Mm, another solution would be preferable, yes...

[ She bends back to rinse her hair once more. ]

I'm-- not certain what else I should do, unfortunately... I, ah, have been told I could fatten up some... [ Yeah, that has her wrinkling her nose, as she wrings out her scarlet strands. ]

Edited 2019-11-28 05:02 (UTC)

Have you tried convincing others you are actually female?

[ Then he takes a swig of ale, as if he has asked the most mundane question there could possibly be. ]

[ Eyes widening, she turns to look at him over the tub's edge. ]

D-do you really think I could manage such a thing...?

Aside from your voice and lack of breasts, I don't see why not.

[ Seeing her turn to him from his peripheral, he finally looks straight to her. He hums before nodding. ]

You have a pretty enough face.

[ Whatever she could have said is lost to her once she's hit with his compliment. With a hand covering her mouth, fingers splayed across her blushing cheeks, she sinks further into the water. ]

A-ah... Thank you...

[ William goes quiet for a minute, contemplating something before rising from his seat at the table. Then he's gone for a bit, having ventured of elsewhere in the house. ]

[ Hearing the shuffling earns her attention once more, but once she pats around to find her spectacles and gets them on her face, William is gone. She even leans over the edge of the basin a bit to see if she can see past the doorway a bit better, but to no avail.

And so, by the time he's back, she's pulled herself out of the tub to dry off.]

[ William returns to the kitchen, something draped over his arm. It's a flowing dress in a muted green floral print. He holds it up for her to get a complete view. ]

I will allow you to try on a few of my late wife's pieces, if you aren't made uncomfortable by the idea.

[ Grell looks over her shoulder upon seeing him return. Immediately, she's taken by the piece; wrapping the towel over her shoulder to encompass her body, she nears to see it in detail. Her fingers delicately take up a sleeve. ]

Not at all... That's-- quite gracious of you, really...

I don't know what colour you'd prefer, but she had a decent array of them.

[ He drapes the garment over the back of a chair for now and reclaims another for himself. He then takes to his bread and ale again. ]

I suppose I ought to dress before supper, then. Wouldn't want to catch a chill.

[ Though it may not be what the other intended for, Grell takes up the gown to go do just that! ]

[ He's not entirely surprised by it, and remains in his place until she returns (well, maybe getting a refill on that ale.) ]

[ Once she's managed to get herself into the outfit, its clear to her that William chose this one very thoughtfully to complement her complexion. That he should be so genuinely interested in her wants and needs has her a bit tearful, really.

The torso is a tad snug where a women's corset should be, the shoulders pull awkwardly at the empty bust, and the hemline several inches too short; however, all considered, she feels beautiful.

Before she makes her debut, however, she towel dried her hair quite thoroughly to keep the gown from getting wet - and requires quite a bit of finger combing thereafter, but once she's managed to get it under control, she heaves a sigh and looks herself over in the mirror once more. Best to remove the glasses for a better effect.

Returning, she clears her throat a touch timidly, hands folded at the middle to his the lack of shape. ]

It's still rather obvious, isn't it...

[ He looks up to her as she enters the room. The expression on his face stays quite unreadable as he gives her a good glance over, assessing each point. ]

Yes. But, I think we can work with it.

[ It's odd seeing this young man, that he's just only met, suddenly standing there in his wife's dress, but the warm look on his face tells William that he did the right thing in rescuing Grell. ]

[ Hint of a smile pluck at the corners of her mouth, as she bows her head to pick up the fabric of the skirt so that she may seat herself next to him. ]

Thank you.

[ William nods, pushing the other mug of ale towards her, along with some fruit. ]

Perhaps a bit of rouge, and something done with your hair.

[ She takes care to pick up a knife and slice the fruit - just a single slice that she can shove into her mouth and follow with a big gulp of ale. She's absolutely famished, it turns out! But, a hum of agreement echoes into her mug. ]

A corset is a must. A high neckline, as well... [ A bit breathy following her drink! ]

Those are easily enough to take care of. Length of the dress is a bit more troublesome. As is your voice.

[ Seeing how hungry she really is, he stands to see what else he can find. Unfortunately, his wife had done the cooking, so he'd been reduced to simple foods since she was now absent. He's huffs at the lack of variety, but finds a few boiled eggs still fresh in the small iced box in the corner of the room. That was easy enough to make, thankfully. ]